Pittsburgh Steelers: Ross Cockrell in danger of losing starting job

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, may be changing directions at cornerback.

It is no lie that Ross Cockrell did not meet the standard in last Sunday’s game against the Falcons. The secondary in general was underwhelming, but Cockrell and Golden were particularly picked on. The Steelers have been looking for solutions in the secondary. It will help to get Mike Mitchell back at safety, but that still leaves a hole in the secondary at corner.

The Steelers have been proactive in this as recent reports say that newly signed free agent Coty Sensabaugh has been running with the first team over Cockrell in practice. I think Sensabaugh will be given every chance to start at this point. Sensabaugh has been somewhat of a journeyman corner, but the Steelers seem to like his toughness and communication skills. Last year, he did not have a great year, but he has been a high performer in years past.

The problem now that presents for Ross Cockrell is that he is very cuttable. As a restricted tender, his contract is not guaranteed. The Steelers can cut Cockrell with little consequences. If Cockrell does not make the starting lineup, it does not make sense to keep Cockrell as a special teamer as he is not a great special teamer.

Cockrell has also been in the league for a few years now and has gotten an opportunity to play. Cockrell has to be near his ceiling as a corner in his fourth year in the league.

Now Cockrell has been a solid corner in his career, and there is a legitimate chance that the Steelers are just sending Cockrell a message to motivate him. Cockrell has been a decent corner in his career and has been the Steelers best corner this previous year.

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While we don’t know the future of Ross Cockrell in Pittsburgh, we do know that the Steelers are being proactive about getting a cornerback and with a Super Bowl quality team, they will not tolerate sub par performance.